Pencil and pen holder



J. E. BALK April 2, 1929.

PENCIL AND PEN HOLDER Filed March 15, 1928 8140a nlfo'a Joseph 5', Balk attozmu Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH E. BALK, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

PENCIL AND PEN HOLDER.

Application filed March 15, 1928.

This invention relates to a pencil or pen holder and more particularly to means for retaining such device in the pocket of the user.

An object of the invention is to provide means applicable to a pen or pencil for retaining such articles against dropping from the pocket of the user and which means may be cheaply manufactured and conveniently applied.

\Vith the above and other ends in view, the invention consists in providing a pencil clip with outstruck prongs to catch in the lining of the users pocket and prevent the pen or pencil from dropping out. The invention further consists in the construction and arrangement of clip and in certain other new and useful features, all as hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pencil showing a clip in place thereon and illustrative of an embodiment of the present invention Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the clip detached.

In the drawing, 1 indicates a pencil or other similar article which is designed to be carried in the vest pocket and project therefrom, and 2 indicates as a whole, a detachable clip to embrace and clamp about the pencil or other article for retaining the same in the pocket of the user.

This clip preferably comprises alongitudinally split tube or body 3, preferably of spring sheet metal and of a normal diameter slightly less than the diameter of the article to be engaged thereby so that when said tube is sleeved over the article, it will contract into frictional contact therewith and be firmly held thereby in place thereon.

At the side of the body 3 opposite the split therein, are struck up from the body, a pair of ears 4 which form a pivotal support for a lever 5 which is also preferably formed of sheet metal with down-turned side ears 6 to overlap the ears on the body, which ears 4 have out-turned integral pins or trunnions 7 to engage in openings in the ears 6 and thus pivotally attach the lever to the body. Struck out of a longitudinal opening in the body between the ears 4 is a tongue 8 which is bent backwardly beneath the lever at one side of Serial No. 261,745.

its pivot to exert a yielding force upon the lever and hold the same turned with its opposite end which is formed with a smooth rounded head or ball 9 pressed toward the body. At each side of the plate where this head or ball 9 engages the body 3, sharp spurs 10 are struck up from openings in the body so that when'the clip is applied to an article and the article then placed in the pocket of the user, these prongs which are inclined outwardly and longitudinally of the body toward the upper end thereof, will engage in the lining of the pocket and prevent the article from falling out. The article is further held by the engagement of the head 9 of the lever 5 which engages the outside of the fabric of the wearers vest adjacent the opening into the pocket, said fabric being clamped yieldingly by said lever adjacent and between the points of engagement of the prongs with the fabric.

The clip cannot, therefore, work loose and permit the article to drop from the pocket as the fabric is firmly held engaged with the prongs by the pressure of the lever thereagainst. The article may be readily removed from the pocket by turning the lever on its pivot against the action of the spring tongue, when the clip may be moved inwardly of the pocket slightly, thus disengaging the prongs from the fabric, due'to the longitudinal inclination of the prongs.

The clip is cheap to manufacture due to its formation from two sheet metal blanks, one to form the body 3 and the other, the lever 5, with parts struck therefrom to form the pivots, the spring and the prongs.

Obviously, changes may be made in the construction to conform to the shape or size of the'article to be held thereby, and other changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim is:

1. A holder for the purpose described, comprising a longitudinally split tubular sheet metal body to receive and clamp an article to be held thereby, said body being formed with struck-out ears and struck up prongs with said prongs inclined longitudinally of said body, and a lever having ears pivotally attached to said ears on the body and provided with a head to engage the body between said prongs, said body being also formed with a tongue struck out from an opening between said ears and bent to form a spring for engaging the inner side of said lever at one side of its pivot.

2. A holder for the purpose described comprising a longitudinally split tubular sheet metal body to receive and clamp an ar-' ticle to be held thereby, said body being formed vvlth struck up prongs spaced apart, a lever pivot-ally attached intermediate its 10 ends to said body and provided With a head at one end to engage the body between said prongs, and a spring to turn said lever on its pivotal attachment to said body and normally. hold said head end of said lever urgee towards said body to clamp a fabricrbetween said head and body and force said prongs into said fabric.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOSEPH E. Bani. 

